Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Sloan
The sight of Mayhem laying on the sofa while Mrs. Hazel gives him belly rubs has me giggling the second we walk into Beck’s apartment. He’s sprawled out on his back, tongue sticking out to the side of his mouth with the goofiest grin on his face.
My giggles are snuffed out by the sight of at least a foot of water filling up his living room. It almost makes it seem like the sofa is floating with Mayhem and Mrs. Hazel sitting on it.
Which has me giggling again.
“Something funny, Little Dove?” Beck lets out a small huff, eyeing me with curiosity.
“They just look like they’re floating. I’m envisioning this couch was on the Titanic and it went overboard and these two are just sitting on it so they don’t drown.
But really Mayhem is just loving life, eating up all of the attention without a care in the world,” I ramble in between muffled laughter.
Mrs. Hazel looks around and starts laughing too. “It really does, dear.”
“I’m really sorry this happened, ma’am. I hope you have insurance. Did anyone get hurt?” I ask.
“Thankfully almost everyone was at work. Just had to make some phone calls to some unhappy tenants but hopefully everyone can find a place to stay,” Mrs. Hazel says solemnly.
“If you need help with anything, please let me know. I have some down time right now in my training so I’d be happy to help if needed,” Beck offers, kindly.
I smile softly at his kindness and patience with his landlord.
“Well at least I don’t have to worry about you, Mr. Scott. I imagine you can stay with your pretty girlfriend?” She smiles adoringly at me.
“Sloan’s not my…”
“Beck’s not my…” Beck and I say at the same time.
“Ahhh. Time will tell, my darlings. Anyways, let’s get you all out of here.” Mrs. Hazel jumps up from the sofa.
Mayhem lets out a disheartened sigh.
“Come on you goober. Let’s get out of here.” I chuckle, clipping a leash into his collar.
“If you want to take him outside, I’m going to grab some clothes—” Beck starts.
“Okay. I’ll grab some toys and dog food out of your kitchen and meet you outside.” I smile at Beck and then flinch, realizing I interrupted him.
“I’m… I’m sorry for…interrupting you,” I offer, my eyes cast down.
“Sloan,” Beck whispers, lifting my chin. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Thank you for helping me.”
Beck kisses the side of my head and then disappears down the hall. Leaving me standing there staring off after him, tension immediately leaving my body at that smallest affection.
Once I fill a few grocery bags with essentials for Mayhem and some groceries from Beck’s fridge, I grab the leash and head outside.
Sitting on the stairs of Beck’s apartment complex with Mayhem’s body pressed against my leg and his sweet face resting on my lap. I close my eyes and tilt my face to the sun and let the rays warm my cheeks. It’s a beautiful fall day. Not too warm, not too cool.
I’ve always loved dogs, but James hated animals. They were too messy and took time away from him.
I’m running my fingers through Mayhem’s fur, taking in this moment of peace when the hair on the back of my neck stands at attention.
My eyes immediately shoot open as I look around anxiously.
Not a soul is walking along the sidewalk and Mayhem still rests calmly at my side.
My distress doesn’t appear to have set off any alarm bells for him.
Breathe, Sloan. James has no idea where you are.
“Ready?” Beck startles me when he comes out of the apartment door.
Shooting up from the stairs, “Yeah…yeah…ready,” I stammer
“You okay?” Beck tilts his head.
“Yep!” I start walking down the stairs. Mayhem’s lead rests in my left hand.
“Here, let me take those.” Beck gently removes the grocery bags from my right hand.
“It’s okay. I got it. You’re carrying enough,” I offer, reaching for the bags.
“Little Dove,” Beck whispers firmly.
My eyes immediately meet his. As if that slight firmness from him calls to me.
“Okay, but I’m hanging on to Mayhem.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Beck winks at me.
I elbow him right in the gut and take off running with Mayhem. When I turn around to check on him, Beck’s pretending to be bent over in agony.
Mayhem and I make our way back toward Beck when I notice a white rose laying on the stairwell two doors down from where I had been sitting not long ago.
I’m frozen to the spot.
All the hair stands up on my skin.
My heart starts beating rapidly.
My vision starts to get splotchy.
My ears are ringing.
My chest feels tight. Am I even breathing?
No.
No.
No.
Not possible.